Resurrection Is A Marathon

Easter was on Sunday. I don’t know about you, but it already feels like a bit of a blur.

We celebrated big—from Palm Sunday to Good Friday to Easter morning, it was a full and powerful Holy Week. And I heard from many of you that it impacted you in a profoundly personal way this year. I felt that too.

And then, after all of it… Monday came.
Tuesday came.

Like any great mountaintop spiritual experience, you have to come down, back to reality. We return to real life, real responsibilities, and all the emotions that come with it. And that’s precisely what the disciples faced in the days and weeks after Jesus’ resurrection.

They had seen the empty tomb. Some of them had even seen Jesus. But they were still uncertain. Some even took a road trip, trying to figure out what came next.

I’ve been thinking about that feeling recently, especially as I prepare for a 130-mile relay trail race just a few days away. There’s always a high after finishing a big race—the adrenaline, the celebration, the sense of accomplishment. But that feeling fades faster than you'd expect. And the older I get, the sooner the soreness sets in.

Before long, you’re lacing up your shoes again and starting the training cycle. And let me tell you… I had forgotten how hard it is to return to those half-marathon-plus distances. Logging long runs, getting up early, and pushing through the exhaustion. I’m excited about this upcoming race, but I’m tired.

It hit me: this is what resurrection life feels like.

It’s not just the thrill of Easter morning. It’s the daily decision to keep showing up, to keep moving forward, even when it’s hard. Resurrection isn’t a one-day event; it’s a lifelong journey. A rhythm of practicing faith, noticing grace, and marveling at the ordinary places where Jesus walks with us.

It takes discipline. It takes endurance.

So if you’re feeling a little worn out this week, you’re not alone.
Just remember: resurrection isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon.
He is alive—so that you, too, might keep experiencing new life.

I hope to see you Sunday as we explore how the disciples began to live their own resurrection story.

Until then, train on.
 

With Gratitude,

Rodney

Rodney Whitfield
Senior Pastor
Aldersgate UMC